The 2026 North Tyneside Council election took place on 7 May 2026, alongside other local elections in the United Kingdom. One third of the 60 members of North Tyneside Council in Tyne and Wear were elected. The council's directly elected Mayor of North Tyneside was not up for election this year.
At this election, Labour retained overall control of the council, but with a significantly reduced majority. Reform UK won half the seats contested at this election, which saw them overtake the Conservatives to become the second largest party on the council.
Background North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council was created in 1974. Labour saw early success, controlling the council (apart from a brief period of no overall control 1986 to 1987) from its creation until 2004, when the council fell into no overall control. That election also saw the Conservatives become the largest party on the council, which was maintained until 2010. The Conservatives additionally formed the only non-Labour majority administration following the 2008 election. Labour have formed majority administrations since retaking control in 2011, with the Conservatives acting as the principal opposition.
The 2024 election used a new set of ward boundaries - as such, this election will be for the councillors elected with the fewest votes in each of the 30 three-member wards.The North Tyneside (Electoral Changes) Order 2024 Labour will be defending 17 seats, the Conservatives will be defending 2, and independents will be defending 1.
Summary Council composition After 2024 election Before 2026 election After 2026 election Party Seats Party Seats Party Seats 51 50 38 0 1 11 8 8 8 0 0 2 1 1 1 Changes 2024–2026: May 2025: Karen Clark (Labour) elected as Mayor, thus leaving her council seat vacant – by-election held July 2025 Pat Oliver (Labour) resigns – by-election held July 2025 July 2025: Brian Smith (Reform) gains by-election from Labour Bryan Macdonald (Labour) wins by-election
Election result
Incumbents
Ward Incumbent councillorParty Re-standing Backworth & Holystone James Webster Labour No Battle Hill Steven Phillips Labour Yes Camperdown Joan Walker Labour Yes Chirton & Percy Man Bruce Pickard Labour Yes Cullercoats & WhitleyBay South Andrew Spowart Labour No Forest Hall Joanne Sharp Labour Yes Howdon Matthew Thirlaway Labour Yes Killingworth Bryan Clark Labour Yes Longbenton & Benton Linda Darke Labour Yes Monkseaton Martin Murphy Labour Yes New York & Murton Jay Bartoli Conservative Yes North Shields Frank Lott Labour Yes Preston with Preston Grange David Lilly Conservative Yes Shiremoor Kristin Nott Labour Yes St Mary's Judith Wallace Independent Yes Tynemouth Julie Day Labour Yes Wallsend Central Ian Grayson Labour Yes Wallsend North Tricia Neira Labour Yes Weetslade Liz McMullen Labour Yes Whitley Bay North Sandra Graham Labour Yes
Ward results
Backworth & Holystone
Battle Hill
Camperdown
Chirton & Percy Main
Cullercoats & Whitley Bay South
Forest Hall
Howdon
Killingworth
Longbenton & Benton
Monkseaton
New York & Murton
North Shields
Preston with Preston Grange
Shiremoor
St Mary's
Tynemouth
Wallsend Central
Wallsend North
Weetslade
Whitley Bay North
Changes between 2026 and 2027
18 August 2026: Rebecca O'Keefe, Labour councillor for Chirton & Percy Main, was suspended by the party for a minimum of six months for voting against the group whip. 23 August 2026: Tom Bailey, Labour councillor for Tynemouth, was suspended by the party after allegedly sharing a picture with an imitation firearm. He later resigned with immediate effect from the party, citing big differences in values between himself and the local party. 3 September 2026: Josephine Mudzingwa, Labour councillor for North Shields, resigned the Labour whip and began sitting as an Independent.
References